The GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY

MJ Tribute July 8, 2009

Okay, so the Michael Jackson public memorial was held yesterday at the Staples Center in LA. I tuned into the online broadcast by streaming video. I must admit that I expected to have alot of technical difficulties with the video, but there were very few. Great job, CBSNews2!

The memorial was quite somber. Although there were several celebrity performances, it was not forgotten that it was also a funeral. Many spoke of MJ’s charitiable efforts and his musical talents. Today was not about the negative publicity that overshadowed much of his life. It was a celebration of life. A homegoing. I sat in front of my computer screen, wiping tears and slanging snot as if I were there. As if I knew MJ personally. Neither of these are true. I never met him. Never even saw him perform in real life. But I knew him all the same.

My day started out at 12 noon. From noon until 6 pm I was glued to my computer screen. The memorial…the newscasts…I had to see it all. Much to my husband’s frustration, I would not be moved! Around I say 6ish, I’d gotten my fill and then it was time for my own tribute. With drink in hand I cranked up my music and sang and danced to everything MJ. It was our night! My poor husband sat and watched as if I’d lost my everloving mind. But he just didn’t understand what MJ and I had all those years back. So I ignored him and kept drinking, singing, and dancing. I had myself a grand time! Sufficiently, my tribute ended at midnight, after which I showered and then I climbed into bed. I spent the next few minutes reflecting over MJ’s life and career. Thinking how sad it was for him to have died with such a negative stigma attached to his name. I thought of his children, left without a father. Then a line from one of MJ’s songs came to mind: I’ve been a victim of, a selfish kind of love…Damn right, you were…